Internet Speed: 10.4 Mbps; 1.6 Mbps

Population: 550,000

Internet Coverage: more than 75% of residents

Main Internet Services: DSL, Cable, Fiber

Main Internet Service Providers: CenturyLink, Charter Spectrum, CenturyLink, ACT

Colocation Datacenters: 5 (prominent companies: Mountain West Technology Network, Green House Datacenter)

According to Akamai.com, the average Internet downlink speed in Wyoming is 10.4 Mbps and the average uplink speed is 1.6 Mbps.

In 2016, the population of Wyoming was approximately 550,000. More than 75% of residents have access to the Internet, especially broadband connections.

Main Internet services provided across the state of Wyoming are as follows:

– DSL – over 90% coverage
– Cable – over 80% coverage
– Fiber – less than 10% coverage

Main Internet Service Providers established in Wyoming are the following:

– CenturyLink (DSL) – 90% availability
– Charter Spectrum (Cable) – 85% availability
– CenturyLink (Fiber) – less than 10% availability
– ACT (Fiber) – less than 10% availability

Gigabit Internet in Wyoming

In September 2016, ACT, one of the biggest players in the local Internet market, announced that they would start rolling out gigabit Internet to customers located in Sheridan. However, this service is only available to business customers, and it is currently unclear whether it will be available to residential customers as well. Similar gigabit services are being offered in other cities by other ISPs, but only to businesses. The residential Internet infrastructure deployed all across the state has not been updated in years, which is why gigabit Internet may not be available to them for a few years at least.

According to datacentermap.com, there are currently 5 colocation datacenters distributed across Wyoming. Most datacenters are located in Cheyenne (2), followed by Sheridan (1), Casper (1), and Afton (1).

In Cheyenne, the biggest two colocation providers are:

– Mountain West Technology Network
– Green House Data

Prominent Colocation Companies & Datacenters

Green House Data is currently the most sought after company in Cheyenne, and in Wyoming in general. Their 45,000-square-foot facility specializes in providing wholesale and retail colocation services, in addition to disaster recovery or backup solutions for customers coming from surrounding markets. In addition to its premium fiber connectivity, the datacenter also provides carrier neutrality, with access to well over 5 telecommunications providers and other colocation companies located in the area.

Mountain West Technology Network is another popular colocation provider located in Cheyenne. Their primary facility features double-filtered UPS power equipment, N+1 redundancy for power distribution, and cooling. The datacenter also provides carrier-neutrality, with access to over 10 telecommunications providers and other colocation companies located in the area.

Other colocation providers located in other cities are the following:

– Big Horn Mountain Data Center
– Silver Star Communications

Colocation Industry in Wyoming

Wyoming is currently regarded as an undeserved market in the United States. On the one hand, this is reflected by the very few big colocation companies established in the area, amounting to a total of 5. On the other hand, not only are there very few companies, but investments are also quite poor (the biggest datacenter in the region has only 50,000 square feet). Topped off with the state’s lack of interest in stimulating the market by means of grants and/or favorable legislation, and the outdated Internet infrastructure, Wyoming is bound to maintain its title for the foreseeable future.

Advantages

However, because the state is located in close proximity to other top and emerging markets, such as Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, as well as Texas, customers looking for cheaper disaster recovery and backup solutions are much attracted by Wyoming, and companies have adapted to this demand. Green House’s offering is centered around disaster recovery and backup solutions for this very reason.

Climate Disadvantages

The state’s semi-arid climate is another unfavourable reason. In comparison with the rest of the United States, temperatures in here can hit very high and very low degrees, in summer and winter respectively. During summer, temperatures reach over 35 degrees Celsius. During winter, they can reach well under 5 degrees Celsius. Because of this, companies cannot benefit from many months of free cooling, and avoid building in Wyoming.

Industry-related Disadvantages

The last, and probably the most important, reason Wyoming is not a thriving colocation market is its somewhat underdeveloped industry. The biggest economic contributors in this state are mining, followed by government services, construction, retail, as well as tourism. As expected, these fields are not in need of colocation services.